Re: Power output loss

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "James Zimmerschied" <zimtesla@xxxxxxx>

Dennis,
it is possible that as your gap gets used the surfaces of the copper 
electrodes is getting pitted. This may allow more ionization which 
reduces quenching. I have had this happen a few times where the coil 
worked ok at first and then the output streamers seemed to diminish 
with increasing power.

You could try cleaning the electrodes or increasing the air flow 
across them to see if this helps.
Jim
----- Original Message -----
From: <mailto:tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>Tesla list
To: <mailto:tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2006 11:13 PM
Subject: Power output loss

Original poster: <mailto:otmaskin5@xxxxxxx>otmaskin5@xxxxxxx

I could use some advice.  Recently, I'getting a significant drop in
output as I dial up the variac.  I start getting sparks at the 80v
setting, as usual.  But then, as I increase the variac voltage, the
coil doesn't increase spark output proportionately as it used
to.  Might even decrease at higher variac settings ~120-130v.


Dennis Hopkinton, MA